Restorative Justice

The Restorative Justice Program facilitates a restorative approach in achieving justice by engaging those involved in harmful and/or criminal events, in dialogue about harm, reparation, accountability, and supports while addressing the needs of all parties.

Funded by The Province of British Columbia, City of Pitt Meadows & City of Maple Ridge

Restorative Justice

Restorative Justice is an approach to achieving justice by engaging those involved in criminal, non-criminal, interpersonal conflict or disputes in an inclusive and meaningful way. This approach brings healing to parties by creating an environment for conversation about harm, impact, accountability, and reparation of harm. Restorative Justice seeks to support all parties through a philosophy of Engage, Empower, Support, Restore. Restorative Justice also provides opportunities for youth to participate in education, prevention, and mentorship programs.

Our Impact

2,321

Referrals Received

3,418

Incidents of Harm

4,918

People Helped

Why Restorative Justice?

Restorative Justice is a process that can transform fear, shame, and hurt into a sense of safety, closure and healing. Restorative justice unwraps the layers of harm and helps people navigate available community resources.

The Restorative Justice program was presented with the Solicitor General Community Safety and Crime Prevention Award for outstanding contribution towards crime prevention and community safety in British Columbia.

Why does Restorative Justice Work?

  • Restorative Justice provides the opportunity for healing and closure.
  • Restorative Justice creates safer communities, reducing crime
    and re-offence.
  • Studies find that victims who participated in Restorative Justice have a reduced traumatic impact from the harm causing event.
  • Restorative Justice is six times more cost effective than court proceedings.
  • Restorative Justice supports individual needs by helping them locate and navigate support services.
  • It is an opportunity for those who have harmed, to hear about the impact their actions had on others, to be accountable for what they did, and to be a part of the process to repair relationships and community.
  • Engages people in a safe and inclusive process that helps them feel safer and supported.
  • The program’s success is based on client satisfaction and an approximate non-offending rate of 80%.

Restorative Justice in Schools

Restorative Justice is an ever-changing and evolving community-based program of Community Services that has been working with schools for the past 20 years responding to and supporting staff with incidents of harm. The program aims to strengthen relationships and build community by encouraging a caring school climate. The Restorative Justice approach emphasizes students being involved in a process of naming the values and principles to live by within their school community and focuses on activities that build ties between students and the community.

The Effects of Shoplifting Program

The Effects of Shoplifting program is a one-to-one program that uses a comprehensive workbook that includes relevant research and statistics pertaining to theft from retailers. The Effects of Shoplifting Program increases participants’ awareness of the harm caused and the impact their actions have on people, businesses, and the community.

For more information about Restorative Justice

https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/justice/criminal-justice/bcs-criminal-justice-system/understanding-criminal-justice/restorative-justice

Proud member of Restorative Justice Association of British Columbia

https://rjabc.ca

“Not only did I look at the situation in a new light, it helped me understand the person.”

Restorative Justice Youth Participant

Restorative Justice Program Info

Minimum age for service is 9 years old with no maximum age limit

Monday – Friday, hours vary

Free

22768 119th Ave. Maple Ridge BC V2X 4L2

Darren Watts, Program Coordinator
Phone
Office: 604.467.6911 ext. 1155
Email
dwatts@mrpmcs.ca